Citizenship – a privilege or a right?

The story of Shamima Begum continues to hit the headlines as the news breaks that she will be entitled to legal aid to fight the decision made to revoke her citizenship. Opinions remain divided. Should tax payers foot the bill for her appeal? Was the original decision to revoke her citizenship legal?

What do your students’ think? Was the decision legal? Ethical? Our free resource pack helps answer some of these questions.

During the course of this three lesson unit students research what the law says about the rights of British citizens and critically examine whether there are any circumstances where it is legally or ethically appropriate to revoke a person’s citizenship.

By the end of the unit, your KS4 & 5 students will:

Understand what it means to be a British citizen and what the eligibility requirements / routes to British citizenship are

Have explored some of the rights and responsibilities that individuals have as a British citizen

Understand what it means to have ones citizenship revoked

Have critically considered what the legal and ethical implications of revoking citizenship are

Have examined the roles of the legal system, courts and politicians in the decision making process

Have explored the case of Shamima Begum and considered whether the decision to revoke her citizenship was legal.

Register for your free copy below:

Acknowledgements:

This classroom resource was developed in partnership with The Bar Council. Their support enabled this specialist resource to be distributed to schools for free.

Young Citizens is aiming to raise £30,000 this year, through appeals, donations, and sponsored events, to celebrate its 30th birthday - every penny of the money raised will be spent on helping young people become confident, active citizens.

Young Citizens is aiming to raise £30,000 this year, through appeals, donations, and sponsored events, to celebrate its 30th birthday - every penny of the money raised will be spent on helping young people become confident, active citizens.

Young Citizens helps young people to become active, engaged and motivated citizens by improving their understanding of the law, their rights and responsibilities and by helping them to engage in democratic society through social action. Each year Young Citizens work supports 250,000 children and young people.

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